Michael Olise tracked long term by Newcastle United and on list of targets – Report

Michael Olise has had an injury hit season but back to fitness and form, he has scored four goals in his last four Premier League matches.

No wonder a number of clubs are reported to be trying to sign the 22 year old, as despite only starting 13 Premier League games this season (plus five sub appearances), Michael Olise has 15 direct goal involvements.

Having scored 10 PL goals and got five assists, he is averaging one Premier League direct goal involvement every 79 minutes this season.

Newcastle United are one of those clubs who have been tracking Michael Olise for some time  according to The Athletic (see below) and he is on Eddie Howe’s list of targets according to their reporting.

Michael Olise was in the youth system at Chelsea for seven years and also spent time in his youth at Arsenal and Man City, however, he settled at the Reading academy when he was 16. A great decision as he then got his chance when 18 of regular football and in the 2020/21 Championship season (during which he turned 19 in the December) he really showed what he was capable of, with 19 direct goal involvements from seven goals and a dozen assists in only 37 league starts (plus seven sub appearances).

Crystal Palace made a smart move, paying the £8m release clause to sign a 19 year old Michael Olise after that breakthrough second tier season and coped with the rise to the top level. His debut Palace season seeing the new signing getting 12 PL starts and 14 sub appearances, scoring two and getting five assists.

Last (2022/23) season was when he really started getting noticed, Olise with 13 direct goal involvements (scoring two and 11 assists) from 31 Premier League starts (and six sub appearances).

Chris Waugh covers Newcastle United for  The Athletic and he reports:

‘Olise has been tracked long term [by Newcastle United] and has featured on target lists.

There have been reports that the 22-year-old has a release clause in his Crystal Palace contract and conflicting suggestions as to what the precise figure is, but Newcastle want a wide player and especially someone who can play on the right.

Olise has Premier League experience and is the ideal age for a Newcastle recruit.

Whether Newcastle can afford to get into a potential bidding war with other clubs, should some of the so-called “Big Six” make offers, is unclear. But, aside from his injury record, Olise fits what Newcastle are looking for. He is, at the very least, among the wingers they are considering.’

It would be a real statement signing if Newcastle United could land Michael Olise this summer.

A existence of a release clause in his contract at a figure almost certainly far below what otherwise would be his market value, would make the 22 year especially attractive as a signing.

The fact he had a release clause in his contract as a teenager at Reading, would certainly point towards the likelihood of Michael Olise having one in his Palace contract as well.

Eddie Howe and Newcastle United have already been able to attractive some great talented young players, despite stiff competition from elsewhere, for the likes of Isak, Gordon, Bruno and Botman, so no reason to rule out them being able to do the same with Michael Olise.

By the way, Michael Olise was born in England but is also eligible via family to play at international level for France, Algeria and Nigeria.